Method of diverting alpha well drilling tool



March 29, l932. A G M CCOY ET AL METHOD OF DIVERTING A WELL DRILLINGTOOI.

March 29, 1932. A. G. MccoY ET AL METHOD OF DIV`ERTING A WELL DRILLINGTOOL Filed OctV 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar. 29, 1932 ARCHIE G.MCCOY AND BENJAMIN W. SUNDE, OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TOBLACKWELL AND SUNDE BETTER SURVEYS, LIMITED, OF LONG BEACH, CALI-FORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA METHOD OF DIVERTING- A WELL DRILLINGTOOL Application led October 17, 1930. Serial No. 489,349.

This invention relates to a method for sidetracking or diverting adrilling tool from a well bore, and it is a general object of theinvention to provide a simple, practical, and effective method fordiverting a well drilling tool from a well bore.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a methodfor diverting a well drilling tool from a well bore in a given ordesired direction. The method provided by the invention is particularlywell suited for sidetracking a drilling tool from a crooked well borefor straightening the well.

Itis another object of the invention to provide a method for divertingor sid/etracking a tool from a well bore whereby a drilling tool may bediverted from a well bore in a given direction and at a given or desiredangle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method forpositioning a whipstock in a well bore so that it-s inclinedtool-diverting face is in the desired position and at a given angle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method forsidetracking or diverting a well drilling tool from a well bore in agiven direction and at a desired angle that may be carried out withsimple, inexpensive apparatus and on a practical and commercial scale.

The various objects and featuresof our invention will be best and morefully understood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred manner of carrying it out, throughout which descriptionreference is had ,to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is alongitudinal sectional view of the lower portion of a well boreillustrating a socket in the bore and an impression member carried on asurveying instrument being lowered into the bore. Fig. 2 is a viewsimilar to Fig. l' showing the impression member seated on orcooperating with the socket. Fig.

. is a view showing a whipstock being lwered through the well bore. Fig.4 is a view illustrating the whipstock seated in position on the socketand a drilling toolbeing diverted from the well bore by the whipstock.Fig. 5

is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of a suitable wellsurveying instrument that may be employed in carrying out the inventlon.Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the upperportion of the whipstock and the connection between the whipstock and astring of pipe. Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional Viewtaken as indicated by line 7 7 on Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sideelevation of the impression member in engagement with the socket. Fig. 9is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional v'iew taken as indicated byline 9-9 on Fig. 5, and Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse detailedsectional view taken as indicated by line 10-10 on Fig. 5.

The present invention has particular reference to a method ofside-tracking or diverting a drilling tool from a well bore. Throughoutthe drawings we have illustrated a portion of a crooked or inclined wellbore B. The method is particularly well suited for diverting a drillingtool from a crooked or inclined well bore to straighten or continue thewell bore in a substantially vertical direction. Throughout thefollowing detailed description the method will be set forth as carriedout to divert a typical well drilling bit T from the well bore B to passin a substantially vertical direction from the side of the well bore. Itis to be understood that the invention is not to be considered asrestricted in its application to the particular situation illustratedthroughout the drawings nor to the particular type of well drilling toolillustrated;

In carrying out the method of thepresent invention we preferably employthe apparatus fully described and claimed in our hopending applicationentitled Whipstock, filed October 17, 1930, Serial Number 489,350. Tofacilitate a clear and complete understanding of the method, we willirst proceed witlr'a description of suitable equipment or apparatus forcarrying out the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings for carrying out the inventionincludes, generally, a tubular socket 10 adapted to be arranged in thewell bore B, an impression member 11 for cooperating with the socket10,- a suitable well surveying instrument 12 for recording the rotativeposition and the inclination of the impression member 11 when it is incooperation with the socket 10, a whipstock 13 adapted to be loweredinto the well bore B on a string S of drill pipe, or the like, tocooperate with the socket 10 so that it assumes a definite rotativeposition relative to the socket, and a releasable or frangibleconnection 14 between the whips/tock 13 and string S whereby the stringS may be released from the whipstock after it has been seated on thesocket 10.

The socket 10 is intended to be lowered or dropped into position in thewell bore B. The socket 10 is tubular, and its lower end is toothed tobite into the formation at the bottom of a well bore. A longitudinalkeyway 16 is provided in the walls of the opening 17 of the socket.Spiralled or helical faces 18 eX- tend upwardly from the opposite sidesof the keyway 16. The faces 18 are spiralled in opposite directions andjoin in a beveled edge 19 adjacent the upper end of the socket 10. Thekeyway 16 is adapted to receive a key on the whipstock 13, and the faces18 are provided to guide the key into the keyway, as will be hereinafterdescribed. The socket 10 is provided primarily to support the whipstock13, and its upper end is preferably fiat. The beveled edge 19 at theupper ends of the faces 18 may be 180o around the walls of the opening17 from the center of the keyway 16.

In accordance with the broader principles of the invention, the rotativeposition of the socket 10 may be determined in any suitable manner. Inthe present disclosure the impression member 11, together with a. wellsurveying instrument, will be described as employed to determine therotative position of the socket, it being understood that a keyed memberfor cooperating with the socket 10 may be used in connection with asuitable well surveying device to orient the socket, as fully describedin our co-pending application referred t0 above.

The impression member 11 is adapted to cooperate with the socket 10 toreceive a mark or impression from the beveled edge 19. The member 11 iscarried on the member 2O which is in the nat-ure of a guide stem or bullplug. The bull plug 2O is-provided with an enlarged upper end presentinga downwardly-facing shoulder 21. The plug 20 is adaptedto slidably itthe opening 17 of the socket 10. The impression member 11 is annular andis arranged against the shoulder 21. The impression member 11 is formedof lead or other suitable material that will be marked when the memberengages the beveled edge 19.

The impression member 11 is intended to be employed in connection with asuitable well-surveying device. The bull plug` 20 may be carriedon thesurveying instrument 12. In the particular case illustrated the plug 2Ois screw threaded onto a tapered pin 23 on the lower end of theinstrument 12. The present invention is not primarily concerned with thetype of well surveying instrument employed and, in accordance with thebroader principles of the invention, any of the well surveying devicesin general use may be used. The particular instrument 12 illustrated inthe drawings includes a tubular body 24 having a screw-threaded pin 25at its upper end. The body 24 is adapted to be connected with the lowerend of a string I of pipe, or the like. The instrument 12 carrying themember 11 is preferably connected with the string P so that it is freeto rotate relative to the string. A connection member 26 is mounted onthe pin 25 and has an upwardlyprojecting stem 27. The stem 27 extendsinto a chamber 28 in a box 28a on the lower end of the string P. Anenlargement or head 29 is provided on the upper end of the stem 27 toslidably and rotatably fit the chamber The well bore surveyinginstrument 12 is provided to record theecompass or rotative position ofthe impression member 11 and the inclination of the member 11, if any,when .it is in engagement with the socket 10.

A compass 30 is mounted within the lower portion of the opening 31 inthe instrument body 24. The compass 30 includes a case 32 mounted withinthe opening gimbals so that it may remain level or horiontal when theinstrument is inclined. A Weight or plumb bob 33 may be carried by thecase 32. The walls of the opening 31 may be lined with a suitableinsulating material 34 so that the compass 30 will not be affected bymagnetic formations, etc., encountered within the well bore. The upperand lower sides of the case 32 are closed by suitable transparentmaterial so that the magnetic or compass needle 36 maybe readily seenand may be photographed, as will be hereinafter described. A level ismounted in the opening 31 above the compass 30 to indicate theinclination of the instrument and 'the impression member 11 carriedbythe instrument. The level may include a container or chamber 37arranged transversely across the opening 31. The container 37 is adaptedto hold a suitable fluid,- say, alcohol, water, or the like, and isformed o1' glass or other transparent material. A bubble 38 of air ispermitted to remain in the `the inclination of the socket 10. A lamp orelectric light 40 is arranged in the opening 31 below the compass 30.The lamp 40 is 31 on suitablev 12o container 37 to indicatetbeinclination of the energized or supplied with current from a battery41 1n the upper portion of the opening 31. A camera mechanism 42 isarranged 1n the opening 31 above the level container 37. The cameraincludes a lensed aperture 43, a film 44 for passage across the aperture43, an -electric motor 45 for moving the film 44, and various otherparts. A clock works or escapement mechanism 46, lis provided to controlthe energization of the motor 45 and the light 40. The camera may beactuated at regular predetermined intervals as desired. The instrument12 carrying the bull plug 20 and the member 11 may be lowered into thewell bore B on the string P so that the plug 20 fits into the opening17. When the impression member 11 is in engagement with the edge 19, theinstrument 12 is operable to record the inclination of the socket 10 andmember 11 andthe rotative position of the member l1.

The whipstock 13'is adapted to be lowered into the well bore B on thestring S after the string P and the instrument 12 have been withdrawnfrom the well. In practice the string of pipe P may be employed to lowerthe whipstock into the well after the instrument 12 has been removedfrom it. The whipstock 13 is adapted to cooperate with or seat on thesocket 10 and is provided on its upper end with an inclined face 47 fordiverting the drilling tool T from the bore B. The whipstock 13-includesan upper section 48 having an inclined face, intermediate or spacersections 49, and a lower section or bull plug 50. The plug 50 may besimilar to the bull plug 20. The bull plug proper is adapted to slidablyfit into the opening 17 of the socket 10, and a downwardly-facingshoulder 51 is provided on the bull plug to seat against the upper endof the socket when the whipstock is iii-position. A key 52 projects fromthe bull plug 50 and is adapted to seat in the keyway 16. Thek spiralledfaces 18 act to guide the key 52 into the keyway, and the cooperation ofthe key with a face 18 causes turning of the whipstock 13 to bring theinclned face 47 to the proper position as will be hereinafter described.The face 47 may have any degree of inclination desired. After therotativelposition of the socket 10 has been determined by means of theinstrument, 12 and the impression member 11, or by any other suitablemeans. the whipstock 13 may be construeted so that the face 47 ispositioned or related to the key 52 so that it will be in a givendesired position when the whipstock is seated on the socket 10.

A fluid passage 53 is provided in the whipstock 10. The fluid passage 53extends longitudinally through the whipstock from the face 47 to thelower end of the bull plug 50.

. Lateral openings 50a may be provided 'in the walls of the plug 50.

The connection 14 between the whipstock 13 and the string S is such thatthe whipstock is free to turn during the cooperation between the key 52and a spiralled face 18. The connection 14 is frangible so that it maybe released when the whipstock has been finally or permanently seated inthe well bore and is adapted t-o pass fluid or a cementing mixture fromthe string S to the passage 53. In the particular apparatus illustratedin the drawings the connection 14 includes a fitting 54 arranged againstthe inclined face 47. The fitting 54 is secured tothe whipstock 13 bycomparatively small bolts 55. The bolts 55 are in the nature of shearbolts and may be readily broken or sheared off' by applying a downwardpressure on the fitting 54. A fluid passage 56 extends longitudinallythrough the fitting 54 and discharges into the upper end of the passage53. A tubular stem 57 is screw threaded into the upper end of thefitting 54 and extends into a chamber 58 in a.

member 59 on the lower end of the stringS. A head 60 is provided on theupper end of the stem 57 within the chamber 58. The head 60 is adaptedto rotate and slide within the chamber. The chamber 58 communicates withthe interior of the string of pipe S.

The whipstock 13 is adapted to be lowered into the'well bore on thelower end of a string S to a position where the key 52 cooperates with aface 18. Cooperation between the key 52 and the face 18 causes thewhipstock 13 to be turned to a position where the inclined face 47 is inthe desired position with reference to the socket 10 when the key is inthe keyway 16. After the whipstock has been positioned on the socket 10,cement in a fluid .state may be passed through the string S and theconnection 14 to be discharged from the lower end of the bull plug 50.The cement may fill the lower end of a socket 10 and the Well borearound the lower end of the socket and whipstock to effectively securethe socket and whipstock in the well bore. After the cement has set orhardened, a downward pressure may be exerted on the string S to shearoff the bolts 55 so that the string S may be withdrawn from the wellbore.

The method provided by the present invention includes, generally, thefollowing stepsz-arranging the socket 10 in the well bore B. determiningthe rotative position of the socket 10. providing or constructing awhipstock 13 that has its inclined face 47 related to the key 52 in sucha manner that the face will be in the desired or given rotative positionand at the desired angle when the whipstock is seated'on the socket 10,lowering the whipstock into the well to cooperate with or seat on thesocket 10, passing a cementing mixture'down the string S to cement thesocket and whipstock in the well bore, breaking or releasing theconnection 14 between the whipstock and the string S. and then loweringthe drilling tool T through the well bore to be diverted by the face 47to pass into the formation at the side f the bore.

The socket 10 may be arranged in the well bore B in any suitable manner.In practice it has been found desirable to drop the socket 10 throughthe well-bore so that its toothed lowe-r end will rest on and bite intothe formation at the bottom lof the bore. The determination of therotative position of the socket 10 may be accomplished by means of akeyed member, similar to the bull plug 50, carried on a well surveyinginstrument or by bringing the impression member 11 into engagement withthe beveled edge 19 and making a record of the inclination and rotativeposition of the member 11 when it is in engagement With the beveled edgeby means of the surveying device 12. After the impression has been madeon the member 11 and the record has been made by the surveying device12, the stringv P may be withdrawn from the well bore and the rotativeposition of the socket 10 may be computed from the impression on themember 11 and the record made by the device 12. The rotative position ofthe beveled edge 19 with reference to the keyway 16 is known so that therotative position of the keyway 16 may be readily determined from therecord made by the device 12 and the impression made by the beveled edge19. `When the rotative position and the inclination of the socket 10 hasbeen determined, a whipstock 13 may be constructed por provided whichhas its inclined face 47 related to the key 52 so that the face 47 willbe in the proper rotative position when the whipstock is seated on thesocket and the key is in the keyway.

In the event that the whipstock is to be employed to divert a tool forstraightening the well bore, the face 47 may be inclined and rotatablypositioned so that the drilling tool will be diverted in a substantiallyvertical direction from the inclined well bore. The whipstock 13 may belowered into the well bore on the string S so that it cooperates with orseats on the socket 1() in a position where the key 52 is in the keyway16. After the whipstock 13 has been seated on the socket 10, fluid orplastic cement may be passed down through the string S to discharge fromthe end of the bull plug 50. The cement is provided to effectively mountand secure the socket 10 and the whipstock in the well bore B. After thecement has set or hardened, the bolts may be sheared off by exerting adownward pressure on the string S, and the string S may be withdrawnfrom the well bore.

The drilling tool may be lowered into the well bore on an operatingstring O. Upon the drillingl tool T engaging the inclined face 47 it isdiverted from the well bore B and passes or cuts through the side wallof the bore. In the drawings we have illustrated a typical fish tail bitT in engagement with the tool from a well bore whereby the drillingvtool may be diverted in any desired direction and at any desired anglefrom the bore. The

method is particularly useful in diverting a drilling tool from acrooked or inclined well bore so that it will pass vertically downwardthrough the walls of the inclined bore.

Having described only a typical preferred form of our invention, we donot wish to limit ourselves to the specific details set forth, but wishto reserve to ourselves any changes or variations that may appear tothose skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the followingclaims. Having described our invention, We claim: 1. The method ofdiverting a tool from a well bore in a given direction which includes,positioning a socket in the well bore, determining the inclination andthe rotative position of the socket, providing a whipstock that willhave its inclined face in a given position `and at a given angle whenthe whipstock is seated on the socket in a given rotative positionrelative to the socket, seating the whipstock on the socket in the saidposition cementing the whipstock in the socket, and passing the toolthrough the well bore to engage' the inclined face of the whipstock.

2. The method of diverting a drilling `tool in a substantially verticaldirection from an inclined well bore which includes, arranging a socketin the, inclined bore, determining the inclinationand the rotativeposition of the socket, providing a whipstock'that will have its tooldivertingy face in a substantially vertical position and in a givenrotative position when the whipstock is seated on the socket in a givenrotative position relative to the socket, seating the whipstock in thesaid position, cementing the socket and whipstock together in the wellbore, and then passing the drilling tool into the well bore to engageand to deflect from the inclined face'.

3. The method of diverting a tool from a well bore in a given directionwhich includes, arranging a socket in a well bore, determining therotative position ofthe socket, providing a whipstock that has a toolvdiverting face'that will be in a given position when the whipstock isseated on the socket in a given rotative position relative to thesocket, lowering the whipstock into the well bore on a tubularstring toseat on the socket in the said positionjvpassing a rcementing mixtureinto the spring tocement the socket and whipstock in the well bore,releasing the string from the socket and withdrawing it from the wellbore, and then passing the tool into the Well bore to be deflected fromthe tool diverting face of the Whipstock.

4. The method of diverting a tool from a Well bore in a given directionwhich includes, arranging a socket in a Well bore, determining therotative position of the socket, providin a Whipstock that has a tooldiverting ace that will be in a given position when the Whipstock isseated on the socket in a given rotative position relative to thesocket, lowering the Whipstock into the Well bore on a string to seat onthe socket in the said position, passing a cementing mixture through thestring to cement the socket and Whipstock in the Well bore, releasingthe string from the socket and withdrawingl it from the Well bore, andthen passing the tool into the well bore to be deflected from the tooldiverting face of the Whipstock.

5. The method of diverting a tool from a Well bore in a given directionwhich includes, arranging a socket in a Well bore, determining therotative position of the, socket, providing a Whipstock that has a tooldiverting face that will be in a given position when,

the Whipstock is seated on the socket in a given rotative positionrelative to the socket, lowering the Whipstock into the Well bore onastring to seat on the socket in the said position, passing a cementingmixture through the string and the Whipstock to cement the socket andthe Whipstock in the Well bore, releasing the string from the socket andWithdrawing it from the well bore, and then passing the tool into theWell bore toxbe deflected from the tool diverting face of the Whipstock.

6. The method of diverting a tool from a Well bore in a given directionwhich includes,

arranging a socket in the Well bore, determining the rotative positionof the socket, providing a Whipstockhaving an inclined face that will bein a given position when the whipstock is seated on the socket in agiven rotative position relative to the socket, seating the whipstock onthe socket to assume the said position, permanently and rigidlycementing the Whipstock and socket together and to the Walls of the Wellbore, and passing the tool through the Well bore to engage the inclinedface.

In Witness that We claim the oregoing'we have hereunto subscribed ournames.

ARCHIE G. MCCOY. BENJAMIN W. SUNDE.

